C2 English Mastery: 30 Advanced Grammar Features | English.in
C2 English Mastery: 30 Advanced Grammar Features
Essential techniques for achieving native-like proficiency in English
I. Core Grammatical Nuances
1. Verbs with Meaning Shifts
Verbs change meaning based on "-ing" or "to + verb":
"I remembered seeing him" (saw first, then remembered)
"I remembered to call him" (remembered first, then called)
2. Ergative Verbs
Same verb, different meanings:
"She runs to school" (movement)
"She runs a company" (manages)
3. Inversion for Emphasis
Negative words start sentences:
"Never have I seen such beauty"
"I have never seen such beauty" (less emphatic)
4. Complex Modal Rules
| Concept | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Possibility | could/might/may have + past participle | "She might have left" |
| Past Impossibility | couldn't have + past participle | "He couldn't have known" |
Note: Never use "mustn't" for logical deduction - use "can't" instead.
5. The Causative
Have + object + past participle:
"I had my car serviced" (someone else did it)
II. Complex Structures
6. Cleft Sentences
Emphasize specific elements:
"What surprised me was his reaction"
7. Fronting
Important information first:
"The one place I love is Paris"
8. Nominalization
Verbs → Nouns:
"They analyzed → Their analysis"
9. Mixed Tense Choices
Present for future:
"My flight leaves at 8pm"
III. Nuanced Communication
10. Grammar of Politeness
Distance = politeness:
"Give me the menu" (impolite)
"I'd appreciate it if you could give me the menu"
11. Complex Reporting
Verb + specific structure:
"He denied taking the money"
"She suggested that we leave"
12. Adverb Order
Manner → Place → Time:
"She sang beautifully at the concert last night"
13. Litotes
Double negatives:
"It's not uncommon" (= quite common)
IV. Dynamic Language Features
14. Verbing
Nouns → Verbs:
"Let me Google that"
English.in Tip: This shows the evolving nature of English.
15. Collocations
Natural word pairings:
"Make a decision" (not "do a decision")
16. Idioms
Non-literal expressions:
"Let's touch base next week"